Construction of a fabric based microfluidic point of care at home diagnostic system

Abstract

A fabric based microfluidic point of care at home diagnostic system is disclosed. The system comprising a fabric substrate one or more hydrophobic threads bound with one r more hydrophilic threads by means of weaving, knitting, embroidering, or sewing. The fabric is configured to define a flow path for a sample to flow from an introduction zone, to a preparation zone, to a testing zone, in a pattern sufficient to optimize the sample analysis required for sample diagnostic tests. The system further comprises one or more mechanical stages and one or more fluid cartridges. The mechanical stages comprise electrical and/or analytical equipment configured to record, detect, analytes or facilitate chemical reactions and/or condition of the air above the fabric to ensure sufficient for analysis. The fluid cartridges are attached to the edge of the fabric in certain zones to supply the fabric with reagents required for analysis in that zone.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A microfluidic point of care at home diagnostic system, comprising a fabric substrate having at least one edge and having a space positioned above it, and having one or more threads having hydrophobic nature and one or more threads having hydrophilic nature, wherein the threads are woven together,
 Wherein the fabric is configured to define a flow path for a sample to flow from an introduction zone to a preparation zone to a testing zone, in a pattern sufficient to optimize a sample analysis required for sample diagnostic analysis, 
 one or more mechanical stages having analytical equipment configured to record and detect analytes or facilitate chemical processes and condition the air above the fabric to ensure its sufficiency for analysis, and 
 one or more fluid cartridge reservoir cartridges attached to the edge of the fabric to supply the fabric with reagents required for analysis and shaped to connect with mechanical stages, such that the fluid reservoir cartridges and the mechanical stages together form an enclosure immediately above the fabric, wherein the mechanical stages are movable and lock in place with fluid cartridges. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the at least one hydrophobic thread is made of fibers selected from a group consisting of polyester, polypropylene, cotton, silk, nylon, viscose or a combination of polyester, polypropylene, cotton, silk, nylon and viscose. 
 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric is constructed to carry out various clinical tests and techniques including, but not limited to, polymerase chain reaction, basic metabolic panel and/or electrolytic analysis, cell counting, urinalysis, blood analysis, salivary analysis, extraction, separation, or immunoturbidimetry. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric is embedded or the fibers coated with electrical components. 
     
     
       5. A microfluidic point of care at home diagnostic system, comprising a fabric substrate having at least one edge and having a space positioned above it, and having one or more threads having hydrophobic nature and one or more threads having hydrophilic nature, wherein the threads are woven together,
 wherein the fabric is configured to define a flow path for a sample to flow from an introduction zone to a preparation zone to a testing zone, in a pattern sufficient to optimize a sample analysis required for sample diagnostic analysis, with 
 one or more mechanical stages having analytical equipment comprising instrumentation configured to record and detect analytes or facilitate chemical processes and condition the air above the fabric to ensure its sufficiency for analysis, and 
 at least one fluid reservoir cartridge attached to the edge of the fabric to supply the fabric with reagents required for analysis, shaped to connect with the mechanical stages, such that the fluid reservoir cartridges and the mechanical stages together form an enclosure immediately above the fabric, wherein the fabric and embedded instrumentation are contained within the enclosure that protects the analytical equipment and facilitates the interaction of the instrumentation with the fabric for one or more movable mechanical stages with embedded instrumentation. 
 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5 ,
 wherein the at least one hydrophobic thread is made of fibers selected from a group consisting of polyester, polypropylene, cotton, silk, nylon, viscose or a combination of polyester, polypropylene, cotton, silk, nylon and viscose. 
 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the fabric is constructed to carry out various clinical tests and techniques including, but not limited to, polymerase chain reaction, basic metabolic panel and/or electrolytic analysis, cell counting, urinalysis, blood analysis, salivary analysis, extraction, separation, or immunoturbidimetry. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the fabric is embedded or the fibers coated with electrical components.